Chapter 19: Chapter 19
Did they say that time flows faster than anything else?
It had already been well over two months since Jeok-geom and Seol Ran began attending to Cheon-hwi.
Crackle… Crackle…
Perhaps thanks to that, not only had the two finished hunting before the sun had even set, but they had also started a fire.
‘Now they are a bit quick on their feet.’
Just as Cheon-hwi was stroking his chin while looking at them, Jeok-geom and Seol Ran heaved their bodies significantly and met each other’s gazes.
‘Martial Brother! Hurry up and tell him!’
‘I know, Martial Sister. Wait a little bit.’
Having conversed with Seol Ran through his eyes, Jeok-geom began to gauge Cheon-hwi’s mood.
During that time, the only things the two had learned were the skills of hunting and roasting meat.
Of course, thanks to that, they were able to grow.
To the extent that they could confidently say that they wouldn’t feel pressured or nervous no matter what situation arose.
Having hunted without missing a single day for two months, it was understandable.
So now, they wanted teachings.
Teachings regarding martial arts.
However…….
‘Will Martial Uncle grant our request?’
It was hard to speak up readily.
Hunting, no. Receiving teachings from Cheon-hwi, the two had realized something.
That he was precocious for his age, and that he was a much more incredible person than they thought.
Especially while attending to him, what surprised them the most was his relationship with Martial Grandfather Hyeon-do.
When they first met, they couldn’t understand the conversation between the two, so they didn’t know what was happening, but it wasn’t the case anymore.
‘They were having a martial discussion as equals, not as a student learning from Martial Grandfather Hyeon-do.’
At first, they were astonished.
The one called the greatest expert of Mount Hua was Martial Grandfather Hyeon-do. But to think he was sharing a martial discussion with Cheon-hwi, who was merely fourteen.
Besides, hadn’t they said that Cheon-hwi was crossing the boundary of life and death just a while ago?
However, soon after, they acknowledged it.
No, they had no choice but to acknowledge it.
Because they had ended up seeing Cheon-hwi’s talent in immediately unfolding the martial art that Hyeon-do explained.
And that wasn’t all.
Not to mention the Sect Leader, who had visited exactly once, but Martial Grandmother Hyeon-ryeo, who had visited multiple times, would often ask how he was doing.
They could feel that he was loved from the expressions and tones of those people as they looked at Cheon-hwi.
Outstanding talent, martial prowess, and popularity.
He wasn’t the treasure of Mount Hua for nothing.
As the two went through such a process, they thought they did well to attend to Cheon-hwi, but…….
‘Since he hates bothersome things.’
There wasn’t just one or two things to do.
They had to draw water up to the thatched cottage, prepare his daoist robes every day, and out of nowhere, commands were often given.
Such as bringing salt…….
‘If we requested teachings, he might chase us out saying it’s bothersome.’
Having grasped Cheon-hwi’s personality for two months, the two were cautious.
While they continued to agonize without saying a word, Cheon-hwi’s eyes, which were looking at them, narrowed like threads.
‘Oho.’
Perhaps as a result of meeting for around two months, he grasped their inner thoughts in a single breath.
‘Looks like they have some greed now?’
The thoughts of the two agonizing people were clearly visible as if they were on the palm of his hand.
Just in time, Jeok-geom put on a resolute expression and carefully spoke towards Cheon-hwi.
“Martial Uncle. We have gotten used to hunting now, so…….”
“You want to learn martial arts?”
At Cheon-hwi’s words that seemed to pierce through their thoughts, the faces of the two bloomed brightly.
“Yes, yes!”
“That’s right!”
Cheon-hwi looked at the two who were expecting.
‘They did attend to me during this time.’
If it was in the past, it would have been a request he ignored as bothersome, but recalling his situation that was much more comfortable than before, he fell into thought for a moment.
Although it wasn’t as much as what Ghost Demon and Flying Demon used to do in the past, thanks to their attendance, his daily life had become much more comfortable.
He had gotten to eat delicious meals, they brought him clean daoist robes every time, and they even drew water diligently.
Handling all the bothersome tasks was a quite satisfying situation.
‘Shall I teach them a little?’
Cheon-hwi, having a change of heart, met the gazes of the two who were looking at him with stinging eyes.
“Alright.”
In an instant, the faces of the two brightened.
Cheon-hwi, who was looking over the anticipating two, first approached Seol Ran and opened his mouth.
“You should be used to the footwork by now, right?”
Seol Ran nodded her head.
“It has gotten better than before.”
“Really? Try unfolding it once.”
Immediately, Seol Ran clenched both her fists and loaded the internal energy of the Jade Maiden Mind Art into her feet.
Crunch!
Footprint shapes were carved into the dirt floor as she moved rapidly.
“When did she get there…….”
Jeok-geom let out an exclamation of marvel at Seol Ran’s footwork. In the past, her realm in footwork was severely lacking compared to the sword art she had learned.
But to think she displayed an amazing footwork that could be compared to her learned sword art in a mere twenty days.
Around the time Jeok-geom was quite surprised.
“Huu, how is it?”
After unfolding the best footwork the present her could display, Seol Ran looked at Cheon-hwi with expecting eyes.
A moment later, Cheon-hwi’s mouth opened.
“You have the basics down.”
Compared to her expectations, the answer was simple.
Because of that, around the time Seol Ran was feeling dejected, Cheon-hwi recalled her footwork.
‘It’s not a superior footwork.’
Cheon-hwi looked Seol Ran up and down.
The Yin Qi of the internal energy accumulated in her lower dantian was quite strong, but the footwork she unfolded was simple.
Cheon-hwi, who was observing her, asked.
“What about other footworks?”
Slightly embarrassed by Cheon-hwi’s gaze that stared piercingly up and down, Seol Ran regained her senses and answered.
“Other footworks?”
Seol Ran tilted her head.
Footwork was a martial art that was overwhelming to just learn one. But another footwork?
“The only footwork I’ve learned is the Drifting Fine Willow…….”
“Only one?”
Cheon-hwi looked at Seol Ran with a pathetic gaze and then brought up his words along with a sigh.
“Ehew, then forget about that footwork called Drifting Fine Willow or whatever it is now.”
“Yes?”
Cheon-hwi stood in front of the flustered her.
“From now on, I will teach you a footwork that suits you.”
“B-But the Drifting Fine Willow was given by the Martial Training Guild Leader…….”
“Is that so? If you don’t want to, then quit.”
The moment Cheon-hwi thought ‘Good’ and was about to turn his body.
“I, I will forget it!”
Seol Ran shouted urgently.
“Is that so?”
Cheon-hwi stopped his body that he was turning as if it was a pity, and gazed at Seol Ran gently.
‘Then what would be good?’
First, he recalled footworks that suited her internal energy one by one.
Immortal Cloud Resting on a Solitary Peak?
No. She might be able to unfold it with her current internal energy, but it won’t be efficient. It would be better not to learn it.
Then the Dark Fragrance Drift? Not this either. It doesn’t suit the sword art she has learned now.
Then what is good?
Like that, while repeatedly recalling several footworks in his head and erasing them.
‘In the end, that’s the only one.’
One footwork remained at the end.
Soon finishing his thoughts, he met gazes with Seol Ran who was looking at him with a tense face.
“The footwork you will unfold from now on is the Jade Ring Wondrous Step.”
“O-Oh, do you mean the Jade Ring Wondrous Step?”
Seol Ran’s eyes shook mercilessly.
The Jade Ring Wondrous Step was a footwork learned by True Mountain Disciples, and in the current Mount Hua Sect, no one but Hyeon-ryeo had learned it.
“But I still haven’t received a Daoist Name…….”
“Don’t worry about that.”
Cheon-hwi firmly cut off her words.
“The Jade Ring Wondrous Step I will teach you from now on is different from that Jade Ring Wondrous Step.”
“Yes? What do you mean…….”
“You’ll know when you see it.”
Cheon-hwi cut off her words.
Along with that, he moved.
Step…
In an instant, he stepped on the eight directions.
In the blink of an eye, his footwork became colorful. In a flash, dozens of footprints were carved onto the floor where he was standing.
Deep like a swamp, smooth like water.
Vigorous like fire, fast like lightning.
Swaying like the wind or firm like a mountain.
When internal energy was added to the Jade Ring Wondrous Step he had displayed before, it expressed a beauty that was impossible to see in the mortal world.
“T-This is the Jade Ring Wondrous Step……?”
In bewilderment, Seol Ran’s eyes went round.
She could immediately understand the intention of the words Cheon-hwi had spoken just a moment ago.
The Jade Ring Wondrous Step Cheon-hwi unfolded was completely different from the Jade Ring Wondrous Step she knew.
It was smooth, and strong.
And.
“It’s beautiful…….”
It wasn’t only her who had lost her mind, it was the same for Jeok-geom who was next to her.
Even though he was someone who didn’t pay attention to footwork, the current footwork was as shocking as getting hit in the back of the head with a hammer.
“Immeasurable Life Buddha…….”
Jeok-geom naturally took a bow.
Cheon-hwi’s movements were just like an immortal descending to the earth and dancing.
While the two lost their minds like that.
Tap.
A moment later, his feet, which had been moving while stepping in all directions without rest, came to a halt.
Afterwards, he spoke to Seol Ran, who was in a daze.
“Then try unfolding it now.”
Seol Ran’s head tilted sideways.
“Yes……?”
Having lost her mind and then regaining her senses, Seol Ran let out a deflated sound.
Seeing that sight, Cheon-hwi thought ‘Ah, right’.
To him, it was merely the Jade Ring Wondrous Step, but to the two, it was a superior footwork.
Then, suddenly recalling a method he had seen once in the past, he lifted his foot.
“Wait a moment.”
As he spoke, he loaded internal force into his foot and carved clear footprints into the dirt floor.
‘This is!’
Seol Ran glared with her two eyes wide open.
She glared as if not to miss a single thing of Cheon-hwi, who was unfolding the foundational method to learn the footwork.
A moment later, he, who had carved a total of sixty-four footprints, nodded his head.
“You memorized the order, right?”
“Yes!”
“Then step in the same way.”
“Understood!”
Seol Ran, who answered resoundingly, slowly imitated the footprints with a resolute expression.
‘This much is enough.’
Cheon-hwi, who was looking at her, turned his body.
Jeok-geom, who had similarly lost his mind, became instantly tense as his gaze tangled with Cheon-hwi’s.
‘……It was an incredible footwork.’
His heart pounded with anticipation.
At that moment, Cheon-hwi opened his mouth.
“List the martial arts you are learning.”
“They are the Plum Blossom Qi Art, the Falling Blossom Sword Art, and the Five Elements Plum Blossom Footwork.”
Cheon-hwi, who was watching Jeok-geom answer promptly, frowned his eyebrows and spoke.
“Alright. Unfold them.”
“Understood!”
Jeok-geom, shouting loudly, drew his sword.
Afterwards, he unfolded a bout of sword art.
“Heok, heok. How is it?”
Jeok-geom, who had unfolded the sword art by putting all his strength into it, caught his breath and looked at Cheon-hwi.
Just in time, Cheon-hwi’s mouth opened.
“It’s a complete mess.”
Jeok-geom, who had been expecting a compliment, dropped his jaw as if he had been hit in the back of the head by a hammer at the completely opposite answer.
“A complete…… mess……?”
Dumbfounded, Cheon-hwi clicked his tongue.
“Tsk, you can’t even digest it properly.”
“……What do you mean by that?”
As soon as the question came to an end, Cheon-hwi snatched the sword held in Jeok-geom’s hand.
“Heop!”
With his two eyes fiercely open, Jeok-geom, who was stripped of his sword, burst out in bewilderment.
‘An incredible grappling hand technique!’
Whether Jeok-geom was surprised or not, Cheon-hwi lifted the snatched sword high.
Taking the same starting stance that Jeok-geom had shown a little while ago, he spoke lightly.
“Watch closely. Because this is the proper Falling Blossom Sword Art and the Five Elements Plum Blossom Footwork.”
Swoosh!
The raised sword was swung down like a thunderbolt, and the air tore as a sound erupted.
Pang!
Due to the sound of tearing air and the belated aftermath, Jeok-geom’s hair scattered in all directions.
“T-This is the Falling Blossom Sword Art and the Five Elements Plum Blossom Footwork……?”
Jeok-geom, who was astonished as if he had seen something unbelievable, looked at Cheon-hwi.
At that moment, Cheon-hwi tossed the sword.
Startled, Jeok-geom hurriedly snatched the flying sword, and seeing that, Cheon-hwi spoke towards him in a commanding tone.
“You saw it, right?”
“Yes, yes!”
“Do you think you can follow it?”
“I will try!”
Strength entered the eyes of Jeok-geom, who answered forcefully. Soon, he swung his sword following the sword forms Cheon-hwi had unfolded just a moment ago.
However, Cheon-hwi immediately pointed it out.
“Put internal force here.”
Nodding at those words, Jeok-geom gritted his teeth and followed Cheon-hwi’s advice.
“What are you doing? I told you to focus on the footwork too.”
Cheon-hwi continued pointing out things.
Did he point it out about twenty times.
The posture of Jeok-geom swinging his sword became much better than just a moment ago.
“Hmm, it’s a bit better now.”
Cheon-hwi, who was whispering, widened the distance from Jeok-geom, who was suddenly focusing only on unfolding his martial arts, and looked to the side.
This side had gotten better too.
The adjacent Seol Ran also seemed to have fallen into a state of selflessness, stepping along the carved footprints.
Still, this should take quite a while.
The moment Cheon-hwi was trying to roughly estimate the time for the two to get used to the martial arts.
“Hm?”
He suddenly turned his head sharply.
Soon, he tilted his head at the familiar presence approaching this place.
‘Why is that person in this place?’
At that moment, Jeok-geom and Seol Ran also woke up.
“Martial Uncle?”
“What’s wrong?”
“Something came up.”
At the questioning nod of Cheon-hwi, who had been annoyed or indifferent to everything all along, Seol Ran and Jeok-geom were quite flustered and looked at the hill following his nod.
After doing so for a moment, they thought a head was rising from beyond the hill where the setting sun shone, and then it was approaching.
Soon, as the setting sun behind his back cleared and an old daoist became visible, Jeok-geom and Seol Ran were terrified.
“L-Lord of the Ten Thousand Scenery Pavilion?”
“Martial Grandfather Hyeon-cheong?”
At the appearance of Hyeon-cheong, who was the Lord of the Ten Thousand Scenery Pavilion and had never once come out of the Ten Thousand Scenery Pavilion, the two found it hard to swallow their bewilderment.
“Your martial grandchild greets Martial Grandfather.”
“Your martial grandchild greets Martial Grandfather.”
Jeok-geom and Seol Ran hurriedly regained their senses and respectfully took a bow.
“Heoheoheo. Yes, it’s nice to meet you.”
Approaching them, Hyeon-cheong smiled gently while looking at the two who were surprised to see him.
At that time, Cheon-hwi approached and asked.
“What is the matter all the way here?”
Cutting to the chase and immediately asking his business, at Cheon-hwi’s question, Hyeon-cheong withdrew his hand and hardened his expression.
Erasing his usual easygoing appearance and putting on an endlessly serious expression, he stared straight at Cheon-hwi and moved his mouth.
“Could you spare me some time for a moment?”
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